A domestic abuse victim terrorised by a police officer has hit out at the “secrecy” surrounding the punishment he was given. Anne-Marie Hirdman, 43, was regularly assaulted by Fraser Ross, 43, over a six-year period.
The disgraced constable, who had been an officer for 16 years, was found guilty of the abuse but spared jail last year and placed on a community payback order (CPO). He was told he would be supervised by social workers for three years, was required to attend the Up2U domestic violence programme, which helps offenders change their ways, and was instructed to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.
A number of hearings have since been scheduled at Hamilton Sheriff Court to check how Ross is progressing. But only one of them was called in open court, with sheriffs making decisions behind closed doors about how the order should continue.
Anne-Marie said the process raises questions over transparency and secrecy in the justice system. She said: “The communication regarding this has been vague. When I have asked what is going on, I get short answers.
“I have been told by social workers that he hasn’t engaged with the Up2U program. I feel like his punishment choice was not fit for purpose as the Up2U program should only go to people who admit guilt and want help.
“I keep getting told police officers don’t get treated differently, but that’s all I have seen. I’m getting told one thing by social work but there’s no scrutiny on the court side of it.
“The hearings are shrouded in secrecy. They aren’t taking place in public, so nobody really knows what’s going on.
“We don’t even know if it’s still the same sheriff that’s dealing with it or a different one. As the survivor, it’s heartbreaking as this sort of punishment will be sending out a signal to abusers that they can do this for years on end and only be given pathetic punishments.”
A Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service spokesperson said: “A criminal justice social worker is assigned by the local authority to supervise the requirements of a CPO. This sentence requires individuals to pay back to their communities for the damage their crimes have caused, and to deal with the underlying causes of their offending behaviour.
“Those who break the conditions of the order can be returned to court. Where an offender has complied with an order, the sheriff may decide to deal with the matter in his absence.”
Sheriff Ross Macfarlane KC told Ross, from Motherwell, that he deserved to be jailed for the offences, but was being spared prison as the maximum sentence available was 12 months. The court heard that he repeatedly kneed, hit, suffocated, headbutted and strangled Anne-Marie.
Ross also pinned her down with his bodyweight, the way he did when arresting violent criminals, and clamped his hand over her nose and mouth. The attacks left her unable to breathe and hyperventilating, while one left her feeling like she was having a heart attack.
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